‘Early to bed and early to rise, makes you healthy, wealthy and wise’.We all grew up singing this rhyme and to this day we acknowledge the fact that at least 7 hours of sleep is what keeps you healthy. However, simply going to bed on time won’t ensure a sound sleep and of course a better health. It has a lot to do with the quality of your sleep as well. A healthy sleep depends on what you ate for your dinner. If you are one of those who has problems falling asleep, read on to know about some of the best to foods to have before you hit the bed:
1 . Cherries
Cherries contain melatonin, which is a sleep-regulating hormone. A study shows that drinking 200ml tart cherry juice twice a day helps in increasing sleep quality and duration. This is an excellent remedy for people suffering from insomnia. Drink a glass of cherry juice before going to bed. You can add some water if you do not like its taste.
2 . Kiwis
Two characteristics of the fruit make it a must have before crashing onto the bed. It has high levels of antioxidants and serotonin which is a hormone related to sleep. Low levels of serotonin lead to insomnia. Munch two kiwis an hour before sleep.
3 . Walnuts
Like cherries, walnut is also a source of melatonin. Eating a handful of walnuts will help you sail through the night. A word of caution, since nuts are high in calories, just 20-30 g of it would be sufficient.
4 . Bananas
They are a source of potassium and magnesium, a muscle relaxing agents. In addition, they contain amino acid tryptophan which the body converts to serotonin. Plus, they are a source of carbohydrates which will make you feel sleepy as well. Grab a banana instead of popping a sleeping pill.
5 . Leafy Green Vegetables
Leafy green vegetables such as turnip green and spinach have calcium which is used by the brain to produce sleep-inducing hormone melatonin. Try a leafy vegetable salad for dinner.
6 . Almond Butter
Almond butter is a source of magnesium, low levels of which are related to insomnia. Munch a whole grain toast coated with almond butter as a pre-sleep snack.